When Laura Wilton first explored the idea of buying a handcycle, she had no idea how much her life would change. It not only reactivated her active lifestyle, but inspired her to open a one-of-a-kind business in Cornwall. TRI-Cycle hires out a pair of sporty handcycles on the Camel Trail, National Cycle Network Route 32, so that more people can experience the freedom, thrill and independence that Laura’s own handcycle has brought her.
An e-assisted handcycle enables Laura to get active in the Cornish landscape with her family. Credit: TRI-Cycle handbike
The arrival of an e-assisted handcycle in Laura鈥檚 life has been transformative.
Laura shared her story:
鈥淎 few years back, I was diagnosed with SPG5a, a progressive condition that affects the lower half of the body.
鈥淚 was told that over time, wheels would gradually be needed to replace the function of my legs.
鈥淚t鈥檚 quite a challenge coming to terms with living life at a slower pace.鈥
Laura, who鈥檚 35, lives in Bodmin with her husband, three children and two terriers.
They鈥檙e an active bunch who love to be outdoors, taking advantage of Cornwall鈥檚 rugged and beautiful landscapes.
Laura explained:
鈥淚 needed a cycle that would enable me to get back out on the Cornish woodland and coastal trails that I鈥檇 grown up exploring.
鈥淎s my ability to walk slowed and reduced, I started missing out on experiences.
鈥淚 have an active mindset and missing out felt totally unacceptable.
鈥淚 went in search of solutions.鈥
Shopping for a handcycle
鈥淚 knew I wanted to maintain an active, independent lifestyle.
鈥淪itting in my wheelchair on a platform, whilst someone else cycled, was not right for me.
鈥淎 handcycle seemed like the way forward, but I didn鈥檛 want to be in a recumbent position.
鈥淚 wanted to be sat upright, keeping an eye on my children and dogs.鈥
Laura went to near Cambridge, who specialise in sports chairs for active people.
鈥淚 originally had a much tamer looking bike in mind, but when I tried the very comfortable I was sold.
鈥淚t also has e-assist that I can turn up or down.
鈥淲hich is perfect for the Cornish hills, and depending on the sort of day I鈥檓 having, I can give my arms extra support.鈥
Laura chose a sporty handcycle with an upright riding position to enjoy the Camel Trail and other routes. Credit: TRI-Cycle handbike
A sporty handcycle for an adventure mum
鈥淚 felt trapped when I was first diagnosed, not knowing how my condition was going to progress.
鈥淭he arrival of the handcycle gave me a sense of freedom again.鈥
The first time Laura took her children cycling on woodland trails, her daughter said 鈥淚 love this! I鈥檝e got adventure mum back again鈥.听
Laura added:
鈥淩iding gives me a sense of achievement and increases my self-esteem.
鈥淚f I didn鈥檛 have my handcycle, I think my mental health would be severely impacted by now.鈥
Setting up a hire business
Laura explained that XCR handcycles are not only expensive, but large too:
鈥淪o many hire shops don鈥檛 believe it makes financial sense to add them to their fleets for occasional hire, or to have them take up the space of three standard bikes.
鈥淚 recognised that I was really lucky to be able to buy one and always thought about how many more people would benefit from riding one.鈥
In 2020, Laura鈥檚 beloved mum passed away, leaving her an inheritance.
鈥淣o amount of money could replace my mum.
鈥淪he loved Cornwall and was always helping everybody out.
鈥淚 thought, how can I keep my mum exploring Cornwall and helping others?
鈥淭hat鈥檚 when I decided to use the money to buy two more XCRs and set up TRI-Cycle in memory of my mum.鈥
Laura set up TRI-Cycle to enable others to experience the thrill and freedom of riding a handcycle on the National Cycle Network. Credit: TRI-Cycle handbike
Getting down to business
Laura dedicated herself to getting TRI-Cycle off the ground, taking a small business course and a mechanics course.
Recognising that the hire of a new cycle can be quite daunting, Laura offers free have-a-go sessions on the Camel Trail, so people can see if a handcycle's right for them.
She explained that you don鈥檛 have to be disabled to ride a handcycle:
鈥淚t could be you have a bad hip, or a problem with balance.
鈥淚t could be that one of you is disabled and you both want to share the same experience.
鈥淭hese bikes are here to accommodate anyone who feels they might be right for them.
鈥 have been phenomenal, allowing me to join their rides and expand my knowledge of local trails so I can broaden my hire routes in the future.
鈥淭hey also hire my handcycles for people who really need them, demonstrating how important it is that people have access to a cycle which meets their needs.
鈥淧urchasing an XCR handcycle would be a massive expense for an organisation like The Cornwall Bicycle Project.
鈥淚t's important that I fill that gap and be a part of their community.
鈥淚t means so much to me to run this business.
鈥淚 sometimes get told I鈥檓 an inspiration, but I鈥檓 not really comfortable with that.
鈥淎fter all, this is my day-to-day life and I鈥檓 just getting on with it.鈥
Barriers to travel
Laura鈥檚 been working with 色情Porn and Cornwall Council to help us assess and redesign barriers on the Camel Trail, to improve accessibility for everyone.
We also asked her to tell us what it's like making journeys with her handcycle beyond the National Cycle Network:
鈥淚 find there鈥檚 a lot of parking for standard bikes, but nothing for cycles like mine.
鈥淥ften I can鈥檛 park because I鈥檒l end up blocking three or four bike spaces or the pavement.
鈥淚t turns you into an inconvenience.鈥
Laura also explained that taking her handcycle on a train is impossible as the storage spaces are far too small.
Laura added:
鈥淲e鈥檙e all encouraged to be more green and travel carbon neutrally, but we don鈥檛 always have the infrastructure to support that.
鈥淚 feel comfortable with the space I take up, but facilities like trains and bike racks make me feel like there鈥檚 no room for me.鈥
Laura’s been working with us to help assess and redesign barriers on the Camel Trail, so accessibility can be improved for everyone. Credit: TRI-Cycle handbike
